Spray dispensing device

ABSTRACT

One exemplary aspect comprises a juice extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion that is inserted into a skin of a fruit, the juice extractor containing a cavity for collecting juice directly from the fruit, said bottom portion having an external surface with a plurality of openings through which pulp and seeds larger than each of said plurality of openings do not pass and juice flows and collects in said cavity; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion, and comprising a spray pump partially disposed within and extending from the top portion of the spray dispenser, the bottom portion of the spray dispenser detachably coupled with the top portion of the juice extractor, the spray pump comprising a tube having a lower end disposed within the cavity and terminating within a void enclosed by said external surface, for collecting juice directly from the fruit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/771,893, filed Feb. 20, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/461,932, filed May 2, 2012, entitled “SprayDispensing Device,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/486,112, filed May 13, 2011, entitled “Hand-HeldDevice for Spraying Fruit Juice Directly from the Fruit,” and which alsoclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/565,410,filed Nov. 30, 2011, entitled “Spray Dispensing Device.” The entirecontents of each of the above-referenced applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Exemplary embodiments described herein relate generally to a device forspraying a liquid. Certain exemplary embodiments described herein relateto a device for spraying fruit juice directly from a fruit, vegetable,berry, or other liquid source (for brevity, “fruit”).

Known methods for obtaining juice from a citrus fruit often includecutting the peel of a citrus fruit and/or cutting the citrus fruit inhalf and squeezing the fruit. With such known methods it can bedifficult to avoid getting juice on one's hands. In some cases, only asmall amount of fruit juice may be needed as an ingredient in cooking.In such instances, it can be difficult to obtain a small amount of juiceand/or obtain juice in small particles (e.g., a spray or atomization) bysuch known methods. Furthermore, the juice may need to be filtered toremove seeds and/or pulp from the juice.

Thus, a need exists for an improved apparatus and methods for sprayingfruit juice directly from the fruit. Exemplary aspects and embodimentsare described herein.

One exemplary aspect comprises a device for spraying liquid, the devicecomprising: a liquid extractor having a top portion and a bottomportion, the bottom portion of the liquid extractor adapted to beinserted into a liquid source, the liquid extractor comprising a portiondefining a cavity for collecting liquid from the liquid source; and aspray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion, andcomprising a spray pump partially disposed within and extending from thetop portion of the spray dispenser, the bottom portion of the spraydispenser configured to be coupled with the top portion of the liquidextractor, the spray pump comprising a tube having a lower end disposedwithin the cavity for collecting liquid from the liquid source.

In one or more exemplary embodiments: (1) the liquid source is at leastone of a fruit, vegetable, and berry, and the spray dispenser isoperable to spray juice extracted from the at least one of a fruit,vegetable, and berry; (2) the bottom portion of the liquid extractorcomprises a lower end having a concave surface defining a plurality ofopenings; (3) the lower end of the liquid extractor defines a serratededge; (4) the bottom portion of the liquid extractor defines a pluralityof channels for guiding liquid into the cavity; (5) the liquid extractorfurther comprises a filter disposed within the cavity and configured toprevent particles of a fruit from flowing into the cavity; (6) thefilter is removable; (7) the device comprises a surface extendingsubstantially perpendicular to an axis passing through the cavity andthe spray dispenser, thereby defining an insertion stop point forinserting the device into at least one of a fruit, vegetable, and berry;(8) the top portion of the spray dispenser flares towards the bottomportion, the flared portion having a diameter larger than a diameter ofthe lower end of the spray dispenser and a bottom surface of the flaredportion forming the insertion stop point; (9) the spray pump furthercomprises a pump activator having a spray outlet, the pump activatorconfigured to be pressed to cause liquid collected within the cavity toflow within the tube of the spray pump toward the spray outlet fordistribution; (10) the spray dispenser and the liquid extractor aredetachably coupled; (11) the spray dispenser and the liquid extractorare detachably coupled via a threaded coupling; and/or (12) the liquidsource is a fruit, and the spray dispenser is operable to spray juiceextracted from the fruit by the liquid extractor.

Another exemplary aspect comprises a method for spraying a liquid,comprising: (a) inserting an embodiment of the device into a juicesource to collect juice; (b) directing a spray outlet of the device in adesired direction; and (c) pressing a pump activator to cause juicecollected within the cavity of the device to flow within the tube of thespray pump toward a spray outlet for spraying the juice in the desireddirection.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the step of inserting comprisesrotating a lower end of a juice extractor portion having a serratededge, so that the serrated edge penetrates a peel region of the juicesource and the cavity is filled with juice.

Another exemplary aspect comprises a method comprising decoupling theliquid extractor of an embodiment from the spray dispenser; and cleaningthe liquid extractor of an embodiment to remove liquid or debris. In oneor more exemplary embodiment: (1) a source of the liquid or debris is atleast one of a fruit, vegetable, and berry; and/or (2) the methodcomprises cleaning a filter to remove liquid or debris.

Another exemplary aspect comprises a method comprising coupling theliquid extractor of an embodiment to the spray dispenser of anembodiment. In one or more exemplary embodiments coupling the liquidextractor of an embodiment to the spray dispenser of an embodiment isperformed via a threaded coupling.

Other exemplary aspects and embodiments will be apparent from thedrawings and description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spray device, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the spray device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the spray device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the spray device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing two components of an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts two views of a juice extractor component of theembodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary use of the device of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 8-11 are perspective views of exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 12A and 12B provide an exemplary parts list.

FIG. 13 provides an alternate view of a bottom portion of a liquidextractor of an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments described herein comprise a spray devicethat is inserted directly into a fruit, vegetable, berry, or otherliquid source (again, for brevity, “fruit”). The spray devicefacilitates the spraying of juice directly from the fruit, thus avoidingthe limitations of the procedures described above.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a spray device 100, according to an exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the spray device 100 may include a body110, an actuator 140, a pump 160, and an engagement member 120. The body110 may include a flared portion 111, configured to couple to theactuator 140, and a neck 112, configured to couple to the engagementmember 120. The body 110 may further include an inner surface 115 thatdefines a channel 116 and receives the pump 160 therebetween. Similarlystated, the pump 160 may be at least partially disposed within thechannel 116 defined by the inner surface 115 of the body 110.

The body 110 may be any appropriate shape, size, or configuration. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, the flared portion 111 of the body 110 mayinclude a first end (e.g., a top end) that defines a first diameter, anda second end (e.g., a bottom end) that defines a second diametersubstantially larger than the first diameter. In this manner, the flaredportion 111 may define an ergonomic shape such that a user's hand caneasily grasp the flared portion 111. Similarly stated, the flaredportion 111 can define a surface that prevents further insertion of thespray device 100 into a citrus fruit. That is, the flared portionprevents the product from being inserted too far into the fruit.

While the surface is shown in FIG. 1 as substantially smooth, the body110 can define any suitable surface. For example, in some embodiments,the flared portion 111 may include a grip with ridges and/or protrusionsconfigured to engage a user's hand or fingers.

The body 110 may be formed of any suitable material, such as, forexample, a plastic, thermoplastic, polymer, ceramic, metal, glass,and/or any combination thereof. Additionally, the flared portion 111 mayinclude any suitable surface treatment, such as, for example, a texturedsurface to increase the friction between a user's hand and the flaredportion 111.

The neck 112 may be configured to extend from the flared portion 111.While depicted in FIG. 1 as defining a smaller diameter than the flaredportion 111, the neck 112 may define any suitable size or shape. Forexample, in some embodiments, the neck 112 may be wider than the flaredportion 111. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the neck 112 may haveother cross-sections including, for example, oval, square, rectangular,etc.

Referring to FIG. 2, an actuator 140 may be configured to be operativecoupled to the body 110. More specifically, actuator 140 may include anouter surface 141 configured to be inserted into the channel 116 definedby the inner surface 115 of the body 110. Additionally, an inner surface145 of the actuator 140 may include an annular protrusion 146 thatextends from a top portion of the inner surface 115 (see FIG. 3). Theannular protrusion 146 may be configured to receive a portion of thepump 160. In this manner, the actuator 140 may be coupled to the pump160 and either or both may be disposed within the body 110.

The outer surface 141 of the actuator 140 may include an engagementportion 142. The engagement portion 142 may define an ergonomic shapeconfigured to receive a user's finger. In this manner, the user candepress the actuator 140 to actuate the spray device 100.

Additionally, the actuator 140 may include an outlet portion 143configured to receive a nozzle 150. The nozzle 150 may be any suitablenozzle configured to spray a liquid. In some embodiments, the nozzle 150may be integrally formed with the actuator 140. Similarly stated, insome embodiments, the outlet portion 143 of the actuator 140 may definean orifice configured to deliver a spray of a fluid.

As described above, the pump 160 may be at least partially disposedwithin the body 110 of the spray device 100. The pump 160 can be coupledto the body 110 in any suitable manner. For example, the inner surface115 of the body 110 may define an upper seat 117 configured to engage aportion of the pump 160. In some embodiments, the pump 160 may define afriction fit with the inner surface 115 of the body 110. In otherembodiments, the pump 160 and the body 110 may define a threadedcoupling. The pump 160 may be any suitable pump 160 configured todeliver a spray of a liquid. For example, in some embodiments, the pump160 may be a positive displacement pump.

In some embodiments, the pump 160 may be configured to deliver a fluidto an outlet and/or outlet portion in response to a negative pressuredifferential. For example, the pump 160 may be actuated such that airand/or fluid within a chamber is expelled. The expulsion of the airand/or fluid may cause a negative pressure to exist such that the pump160 draws a fluid through a suction tube into the chamber. In someembodiments, the pump 160 may include a valve assembly configured toopen and close in response to the actuator 140. For example, in someembodiments, the pump 160 may be configured such that when the actuator140 is depressed by a user the valve opens to deliver a fluid.

As described above, engagement member 120 may be configured to becoupled to the neck 112 of the body 110. More specifically, engagementmember 120 may include an extension 122 configured to be inserted intothe neck 112 of the body 110. The engagement member 120 may include anouter surface 121 that defines an annular slot 123 (see FIG. 4)configured to engage an annular protrusion 118 defined by the innersurface 115 of the body 110. Therefore, when the extension 122 of theengagement member 120 is inserted into the neck 112 of the body 110, theannular slot 123 may receive the annular protrusion 118. In this manner,engagement member 120 may be coupled to the body 110.

In some embodiments, an annular protrusion 118 may be formed of amaterial defining a high friction coefficient, such as, for example,polypropylene (PP). In other embodiments, an annular protrusion 118 maybe any suitable material and may be formed as an over mold (e.g., thebody 110 is formed of a given material and the annular protrusion 118 isformed of a second material, molded on top of the first material). Instill other embodiments, engagement member 120 may be coupled to theneck 112 of the body 110 using a threaded coupling. In such embodiments,engagement member 120 may be coupled to and decoupled from the body 110by twisting the engagement portion 120 relative to the body 110.Alternatively, engagement member 120 may be integrally formed with thebody 110 (e.g., engagement member 120 may be formed together with thebody 110).

Engagement member 120 may include an engagement portion 124 (see FIG.4). The engagement portion 124 may be configured to be inserted into thecitrus fruit. More specifically, the engagement portion 124 may includea serrated end surface 127 configured to cut the peel of a citrus fruitsuch that the engagement portion 124 may be inserted into the citrusfruit. Additionally, the engagement portion 124 may include a concavesurface 125 configured to receive a portion of the peel disposed withinthe engagement portion 124. Similarly stated, the concave surface 125may be configured to allow the serrated end surface 127 to extend beyondthe peel.

With the engagement portion 124 inserted into the citrus fruit, theactuator 140 may be actuated such that the pump 160 transfers a suctionforce to the citrus fruit. The engagement portion 124 may include a setof passages 126 configured to allow the juice within the fruit to enterthe engagement portion 124. More specifically, as juice is transferredthrough the passages 126, the juice can enter a channel 129 defined byan inner surface 128 of the engagement member 120 (see FIG. 3). Thechannel 129 may include a filter 130 configured to filter the juice ofpulp, seeds, and/or debris before entering a suction tube included inthe pump 160. The filter 130 may be any suitable filter such as, forexample, a mesh filter 130.

In such embodiments, the mesh filter 130 may define any suitable meshsize configured to allow for a given flow rate of juice through thefilter and may be made from metal, plastic, or any other suitablematerial. While depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 as substantially thimbleshaped, the filter 130 may be any suitable shape.

For example, in some embodiments, the filter may be a flat disc, aconical filter, a frustoconical filter, a convex/concave filter, and/orany other suitable filter. In this manner, the juice contained in thecitrus fruit may be transferred to the pump 160 and delivered throughthe nozzle 150. In some embodiments, the mesh filter 130 may be removedto be cleaned. For example, a user may remove the engagement member 120from the body 110 by twisting the engagement portion 120 relative to thebody 110 to rinse the filter 130 of pulp, seeds, or other debris. Afterthe filter 130 is cleaned or replaced, it may be inserted back into theengagement portion 120 and re-coupled to the body 110. In someembodiments, the filter 130 may be integrally formed with the body 110and/or the engagement member 120.

In certain embodiments, instead of or in addition to using a separatefilter piece, functionality of a filter may be achieved using a set ofperforations in a bottom portion of a juice extractor component (see,for example, FIGS. 10, 11, and 13).

In certain exemplary embodiments, inserting of a bottom portion of thespray device, such as the engagement portion 124 (FIGS. 1-4), directlyinto a fruit (or vegetable, berry, etc.), may cause juice to flow fromthe fruit into a cavity, such as a channel 129 (FIG. 3), defined withinthe body of the spray device. Then, resulting from depressing of a pumpactivator (e.g., actuator 140, FIG. 3) of a pump (e.g., 160, FIG. 3), asuction force may cause the juice collected within the cavity to betransferred, via a pump tube, up towards the pump activator, andreleased via a nozzle (e.g., 150, FIG. 2) in small particles, such as amist.

Directing of the nozzle in a desired direction enables the user of thespray device to control the direction of the mist. The lower portion ofthe spray device may define one or more channels, such as passages 126(FIGS. 2-4), and/or a concave end with a plurality of openings tofacilitate and/or guide the flow of the fruit juice into the cavity uponinsertion of the spray device into the fruit. Although FIGS. 1-4 depictthe spay device including four channels, fewer or more channels may beformed within the lower portion of the spray device.

Another exemplary embodiment comprises a hand-held device for sprayingfruit juice directly from a fruit, vegetable, berry, or other liquidsource. The device comprises two parts: an aerosol spray pump componentand a juice extractor component (see FIG. 5). The aerosol spray pumpcomponent includes a pump, a pump activator, an aerosol port, a siphontube, and a threaded collar. The juice extractor component includes athreaded end, a hollow body part, a solid body part with channels, and aserrated end.

The pump used in this exemplary embodiment may be cylindrical in shapeand made of hard plastic. The siphon tube may be made from a hollow,flexible plastic tube and extend from one end of the pump. The pumpactivator may be cylindrical in shape and made of hard plastic; and maybe integrated with the end of the pump opposite that of the siphon tube.The circular aerosol port may be integrated into the annular surface ofthe pump activator. The threaded collar may be a short, hollow cylindermade of hard plastic with a diameter that is greater than that of thepump.

The interior surface of the threaded collar may be threaded like ascrew. One end of the threaded collar may be closed and attached to theexterior surface of the pump where the pump meets the pump activator,while the other end may be open and encompass the pump. The juiceextractor may be a tube shaped cylinder that is hollow on one half andsolid on the other half, having a diameter that is slightly less thanthat of the threaded collar, but more than that of the pump.

All parts of the juice extractor may be made from hard plastic, may becylindrical, and may be formed from the same piece of material. One endof the hollow body part may be threaded like a screw on the exteriorsurface, comprising the threaded end. The opposing end of the hollowbody part integrates with the remaining half of the juice extractor, thesolid body part. Two channels may be cut perpendicular to each otherthrough the entirety of the solid body part, resulting in four coaxialchannels spaced at right angles to each other.

The end of the solid body part opposite that integrated to the hollowbody part may be concave and serrated, forming the serrated end. Thethreaded collar of the aerosol spray pump may be joined to the threadedend of the juice extractor with a twisting motion, with the pump fittinginto the hollow body part and the siphon tube fitting and reachinghalf-way into the solid body part with channels (FIGS. 5 and 6).

Another exemplary aspect comprises two parts: means for spraying juiceand means for extracting juice. The means for spraying juice may includemeans for pumping juice, means to operate a pump, means of exit ofaerosol, means of juice uptake, and means to connect to the means forextracting juice.

The means for extracting juice may include means to connect to the meansfor spraying juice, means to accommodate the pump, means to allow juiceflow, and means to pierce the fruit. The means for pumping juice may becylindrical in shape and made of hard plastic.

The means of juice uptake may be made from a hollow, flexible plastictube and extend from one end of the means for pumping juice. The meansto operate a pump may be cylindrical in shape and made of hard plastic;and may be integrated with the end of the means for pumping juiceopposite that of the means of juice uptake. The means of exit of aerosolmay be integrated into the annular surface of the means to operate thepump.

The means to connect to the means for extracting juice may be a short,hollow cylinder made of hard plastic with a diameter that is greaterthan that of the means for pumping juice. The interior surface of themeans to connect to the means for extracting juice may be threaded likea screw. One end of the means to connect to the means for extractingjuice may be closed and attached to the exterior surface of the meansfor pumping juice where the means for pumping juice meets the means tooperate the pump, while the other end may be open and encompass themeans for pumping juice. The means for extracting juice may be a tubeshaped cylinder that is hollow on one half and solid on the other half,having a diameter that is slightly less than that of the means toconnect to the means for extracting juice, but more than that of themeans for pumping juice.

All parts of the means for extracting juice may be made from hardplastic, may be cylindrical, and may be formed from the same piece ofmaterial. One end of the means to accommodate pump may be threaded likea screw on the exterior surface, comprising the means to connect to themeans for spraying juice. The opposing end of the means to accommodatepump may be integrated with the remaining half of the means forextracting juice, the means to allow juice flow.

Two channels may be cut perpendicular to each other through the entiretyof the means to allow juice flow, resulting in four coaxial channelsspaced at right angle to each other. The end of the means to allow juiceflow opposite that is integrated to the means to accommodate pump may beconcave and serrated, forming the means to pierce the fruit. The meansto connect to the means for extracting juice may be joined to the meansto connect to the means for spraying juice with a twisting motion, withthe means for pumping juice fitting into the means to accommodate pumpand the means of juice uptake fitting and reaching half-way into themeans to allow juice flow.

In operation, a user may, for example, roll a piece of citrus fruit on ahard surface while applying pressure to loosen the interior. Theserrated end of the invention may then be inserted with a twistingmotion through the skin of the fruit and into the interior flesh,preferably through the area of the fruit where the stem was onceattached. The user may then use a finger to operate the aerosol pump bypressing down on the pump activator. Juice will exit in aerosol formfrom the aerosol port (see FIG. 7).

FIGS. 8-11 are perspective views of exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 12A and 12B comprise a parts list that may be used to purchasecertain component parts to construct an exemplary embodiment. The partssupplier in this case is ZheJiang YuYao City ZhiBing Spray Factory, inChina.

The parts list in FIGS. 12A and 12B is provided for informational andenablement purposes only, and does not constitute, and is not intendedto provide, any sort of implied license to practice the claimedinvention.

While certain exemplary embodiments are described herein, it should beunderstood that those embodiments are presented by way of example only,and not limitation. While the embodiments have been particularly shownand described, it will be understood that various changes in form anddetails may be made. Although various embodiments have been described ashaving particular features and/or combinations of components, otherembodiments are possible having a combination of any features and/orcomponents from any of embodiments as discussed above.

We claim:
 1. A device for spraying juice, the device comprising: a juiceextractor having a top portion and a bottom portion that is insertedinto a skin of a fruit, the juice extractor containing a cavity forcollecting juice directly from the fruit, said bottom portion of saidjuice extractor having an external surface with a plurality of openingsthrough which pulp and seeds larger than each of said plurality ofopenings do not pass and juice flows and collects in said cavity; and aspray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion, andcomprising a spray pump partially disposed within and extending from thetop portion of the spray dispenser, the bottom portion of the spraydispenser detachably coupled with the top portion of the juiceextractor, the spray pump comprising a tube having a lower end disposedwithin the cavity and terminating within a void enclosed by saidexternal surface, for collecting juice directly from the fruit.
 2. Adevice as in claim 1, wherein said external surface comprises a concavesurface defining the plurality of openings.
 3. A device as in claim 1,wherein the bottom portion of the juice extractor comprises a serratededge.
 4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the juice extractor furthercomprises a filter disposed within the cavity and configured to preventparticles of the fruit from flowing into the cavity.
 5. A device as inclaim 4 wherein said filter is removable.
 6. A device as in claim 1,wherein the device comprises a surface extending substantiallyperpendicular to an axis passing through said cavity and said spraydispenser, thereby defining an insertion stop point for inserting thedevice into said fruit.
 7. A device as in claim 6, wherein the topportion of the spray dispenser flares towards the bottom portion, theflared portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of a lower endof the spray dispenser and a bottom surface of the flared portionforming said insertion stop point.
 8. A device as in claim 1, whereinthe spray pump further comprises: a pump activator having a sprayoutlet, the pump activator configured to be pressed to cause juicecollected within the cavity to flow within the tube of the spray pumptoward the spray outlet for distribution.
 9. A device as in claim 1,wherein the spray dispenser and the juice extractor are detachablycoupled via a threaded coupling.
 10. A device as in claim 1, wherein atleast one portion of said juice extractor is threaded like a screw on anexterior surface.
 11. A device as in claim 1, wherein the spray pumpwhen activated applies a suction force to said fruit.
 12. A device as inclaim 1, wherein said juice extractor is cylindrical, with a top endremovably connected to said spray dispenser, and with the externalsurface of the bottom portion having the plurality of openings thatallow the juice to flow into said cavity being concave.